Artist and Teacher

Dedicated teacher of art at the Isle of Man College, celebrated watercolour artist, and first recipient of the Tynwald Honour. 

Norman Sayle was the most celebrated Manx artist of recent times.

 Born in Douglas in 1926, he studied graphic design at the School of Art at Goldsmith’s College, University of London from 1948 to 1952.  After a short time spent teaching in Kent, he returned to the Isle of Man in 1954 to take up a position as assistant lecturer at the then School of Technology, Arts and Crafts in Douglas. By the time he retired in 1989, the school was known as the Isle of Man College, and he had served as both its Head of Art and Development Officer.  He also sat on both the Isle of Man Arts Society and the Island’s Art Council.  Retirement gave Sayle the opportunity to focus on his art, and it was in this period that he started to exhibit outside the Island.  In 1993, he won the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours medal, and the following year he was elected a Member of the Institute.  He was placed four times in the Singer and Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour competition, and in 1997 he won the first prize.  The same year he was also a winner at the Discerning Eye Exhibition.  Sayle’s love of the Island is reflected in his work.  Although he also worked in oil and acrylic, watercolour was his favoured medium.  He described his paintings as an homage to the Manx landscape: ‘My aim is to express my devotion to the Manx countryside – its grey churches, stone circles, slate walls – by reconciling three components: the subject matter, the structure and the medium. In the end I want it to look as if the watercolour was speaking of itself’.  In 2007, in recognition of his significant contribution to Manx life, Sayle became the first recipient of the Tynwald Honour.

He made a selfless contribution to art and students

Photo credit: Isle of Man Newspapers

Writer and Farmer

A significant contributor to Island life through his love of farming and the written word, as well as a generous benefactor to Onchan Parish.

Born in Ludlow in Staffordshire, Harvey Briggs came to the Isle of Man in 1926 to join his mother, who had moved to the Island a few years previously to accept a post as a cheesemaker at the newly formed Isle of Man Dairies Ltd.  Having acquired a farmer as a stepfather, Briggs grew up fully immersed in country and farming life.

After finishing his secondary education at Douglas High School at St Ninian’s, Briggs became a farmer, working the land with his wife Laura at Ballakilmartin for over half a century.

Briggs is particularly known for his prolific writing on Manx agriculture. He was an agricultural correspondent for over fifty years, writing for a number of publications; he had a regular column on Manx farming and countryside matters in the Isle of Man Examiner. In 2002 he published his farming memoirs, entitled A Harvest of Memories, which describe the ways in which farming changed in the Isle of Man over the course of the twentieth century.

Briggs played a key role in the Isle of Man Young Farmers movement, serving as Secretary to the Eastern Young Farmers and as Secretary of the Isle of Man Federation of Young Farmers.

Briggs was also a generous benefactor of the Parish of Onchan. In addition to serving as a Commissioner for 19 years and Captain of the Parish for 14 years, he was known for his support of various organisations in the village and for his involvement in village fairs and events.

Briggs has been warmly described as being ‘as Manx as you can get, without being Manx’.

The undisputed voice of farming in the Isle of Man 

A significant contributor to Manx life

Ian Qualtrough was born in the Isle of Man in 1926, the son of Sir Joseph Qualtrough, former Speaker of the House of Keys. His day job was managing the family business of J. Qualtrough and Company Limited, a building supply and timber yard in Castletown, but he made a significant contribution to Island life in a variety of other ways.Qualtrough served as a Justice of the Peace for many years. He was known for his acts of kindness from the magistrate’s bench. He was also a prolific family entertainer at local events, and a Friend of the Gaiety Theatre. A lifetime chorister, he was a member of the Lhon Doo Male Voice Choir, and he sang with Meadowside Choral Society for over 20 years, acting as chairman and concert compere on many occasions. He was a former President of the Isle of Man Beekeepers’ Federation, and a mainstay of Castletown Methodist Church.

Considerable commitment to public life in the Isle of Man

Photo credit: Manx Radio

Manx Speaker, Teacher and Broadcaster

Brian Stowell was born in Douglas in 1936. He was educated at Murray’s Road School and Douglas High School, before studying physics at Liverpool University. After graduation in 1958, he worked in England as a physicist, gaining a doctorate in applied physics.

Stowell was one of the prime movers behind the revival of Manx Gaelic in the 20th and 21st centuries. He had learnt Manx as a teenager from the last native speakers of the language. In 1991 he returned to the Isle of Man to take on the newly created role of Manx Language Officer in the Department of Education.  After retirement, he  continued to be active in the Manx revival movement through his teaching, writing, and radio broadcasting.

He wrote several Manx courses and published numerous articles in and about Manx and Celtic matters. He was a prolific translator in a variety of media, and is particularly known for his translation of Alice in Wonderland (Contoyryssyn Ealish ayns Cheer ny Yindyssyn). A member of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, Stowell presented a radio show and news items in Manx on Manx Radio. In 2006, he published the first full-length novel in Manx Gaelic, Dunveryssyn yn Tooder-Folley (The Vampire Murders).

As one of the organisers and founders of the Celtic Congress, Stowell was considered a father figure in the maintenance of Celtic languages, both on the Island and further afield.

In 2008, Stowell was awarded the Manx Heritage Foundation’s Reih Bleeaney Vanannan for his outstanding contribution to Manx Culture.

Pioneer of the Manx Gaelic revival movement

Conservationist and Constitutionalist

The son of former Second Deemster James Arthur Cain, Thomas William Cain was born in the Isle of Man in 1935. He was educated at Marlborough College and Worcester College, Oxford. After two years of National Service, he was called to the Bar at Grey’s Inn in 1959 and admitted to the Manx Bar in 1961.

Cain then worked for TW Cain and Sons until 1980, when he was appointed as HM Attorney General for the Isle of Man. He held this position until 1993, when he was made Second Deemster. He served as First Deemster from January 1998 to 2002, when he retired.

Cain was awarded the Tynwald Honour based on his national and international work. In the Isle of Man, he was respected for his knowledge of, and articles on, constitutional reform, with his major contribution being the digitisation of Manx legislation. As Honorary Chairman of the Isle of Man Branch of the United Nations Association, he promoted and strengthened​relations with other nations.

Cain also made a significant contribution to wildlife conservation, both in the Isle of Man and further afield. He was a founder member of the Manx Wildlife Trust, and acted as its chairman for 36 years until his retirement in 2010. He was instrumental in the introduction of the 1990 Manx Wildlife Act, which established the principles of protecting many listed species of animals and plants.

Widely recognised for dedication, knowledge, and generosity

Constitutionalist and Supporter of Charitable Causes

Born in the Isle of Man in 1932, John William Corrin (known as Jack) was educated at Fairfield Murray’s Road School before winning a scholarship to attend King William’s College. When he left school, he became articled to a Manx advocate and was called to the Manx Bar in 1954. After completing two years of national service, he went on to become a senior partner at law firm Dickinson Cruickshank and Co.

In 1974, Corrin was appointed Her Majesty’s Attorney General for the Isle of Man, an office he held until 1980, when he was appointed Second Deemster. He became First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls in 1988. During this period, he successfully encouraged the legal profession in the Isle of Man to reenergise itself with young people.

In addition to his constitutional work, Corrin demonstrated selfless commitment to many charitable causes in the Isle of Man. He supported, among others, the Douglas Buxton Music Trust, the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association, the Manx Asthma Association, Crossroads Caring for Carers, the Alcohol Advisory Council, and the Manx Housing Trust. He was the former president of the Isle of Man Postgraduate Medical Centre, an honorary member of the Isle of Man Medical Society, a honorary life member of the Isle of Man Law Society, as well as trustee of the Manx Methodist Church, the Manx Foundation for the Physically Disabled, and Ellan Vannin House. He spent 28 years as the Chairman of the Manx Workshop for the Disabled, overseeing much change during his tenure.

In 1995, Corrin was awarded the CBE in recognition of his years of public service to the Island, and in 1998 he was made a Freeman of the Borough of Douglas.

Worthy work and selfless commitment

Founder of the Isle of Man Hospice

Nadene Crowther was born in Bury in Lancashire in 1938. Her involvement and interest in healthcare began at an early age, when her father enrolled her in the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. Later, as a teenager, she volunteered at her local hospital, looking after geriatric and terminally ill patients. The experience of working with these patients informed her later work in hospice care.

After qualifying as a medical secretary and working at Booth Hall Children’s Hospital in Manchester, she met and married her husband Raymond, a GP. The couple and their children moved to the Isle of Man in 1973. Around this time, she joined the Port Erin branch of the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, becoming its Secretary and eventually All-Island Secretary.

As she became experienced in telephone conversations with people living with terminal illnesses, Crowther began to research the burgeoning hospice movement. She was instrumental in the development of a night-nursing service that allowed people to be cared for in their own homes and, after further lobbying of the Island’s medical profession, the Isle of Man Hospice was established in August 1983, initially operating a community service from Sydney Mount in Douglas. St Bridget’s Hospice opened for its first in-patient in March 1988, with an official opening in July of that year by HRH Duchess of Kent. Crowther later served as President of Hospice.

In 1994, Crowther was awarded an MBE in recognition of her work in hospice care.

Unceasing hard work and determination on behalf of the Hospice Movement

Photo credit: John Dennis

WWII Veteran

Hector Duff was born in Sulby in 1919. He was working on the Isle of Man Railway when, at the age of 19, he called up to fight in World War II. He served in the 7th Armoured Division (known as the Desert Rats) from 1940 to 1945. His time in service took him across Europe and Northern Africa, taking part in the Battles of El-Alamein in 1942 and the invasion of Italy in 1943. His division was in Normandy on the afternoon of D-Day, and they continued through France and into Germany, taking part in the Victory Parade in Berlin. His service continued in Germany after the end of war, where he was involved in the early work of the Nuremberg Trials. For his war service he received a citation and was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery.On his return to the Isle of Man Duff briefly resumed his career as a railway worker, before joining the Isle of Man Constabulary, where he served for thirty years. On his retirement, Duff dedicated himself to ensuring that those who lost their lives serving in the World Wars are not forgotten. For many years he was guardian of the Island’s many war memorials, which he recorded and cared for; and he lobbied to establish the War Memorials Committee which now undertakes this task.  At the age of 95, when he was awarded the Tynwald Honour, Duff was serving as Chairman of the Normandy Veterans Association, Chairman of the Joint Ex-Service Association, a member of the Isle of Man Government Armed Forces Day Committee, a member of the War Pensions Committee, and as a member of the committee of the Police Benevolent Fund. He was also still involved in the work of the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families’ Association.  Duff was committed to promoting understanding of the reasons behind, and the realities of, world war. In the New Year’s Honours in 2013, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his work with the Island’s schoolchildren.

Tireless public service in conflict and peacetime

Photo credit: Mark Edwards

A champion of Island sporting life 

Born in the Isle of Man in 1947, Geoffrey F Karran was admitted to the Manx Bar at the age of 22. He enjoyed a distinguished career in the legal profession, becoming senior partner at Dickinson Cruickshank and Co and President of the Isle of Man Law Society (1995-1998), while supporting various charitable causes.

After retiring in 2004, Karran continued his charitable work, in particular encouraging sporting activities for all sections of society. He was a driving force behind the development of the National Sports Centre. As well as his work for the Isle of Man Sports Council, Karran combined his legal expertise with his love of sport in his role as the Honorary Legal Adviser to the International Island Games Association, a position he held from 1997 to 2009.  He was Chairman and Games Director of the Organising Committee for the fourth Commonwealth Youth Games, held in the Isle of Man in 2011.

A committee member of Manx Mencap and Chairman of Manx Gateway and Project 21, Karran has also been a champion of those with disabilities. In 2007, Project 21 established a daytime respite care centre for adults requiring assistance with daily life, offering facilities for arts and crafts, sports, computer training, and drama.

Karran has also supported motorsport in the Island, having been a committee member, Chairman, and President of the Manx Motorcycle Club, as well as a steward for the TT.

Amongst other appointments, he has served as Chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission since 2012 and as Police Complaints Commission since 2009.

In 2007, Karran was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Isle of Man Awards for Excellence, and in 2008 he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to sport and the disabled in the Isle of Man. In 2012 he became a Freeman of the Borough of Douglas.

A Manxman who has supported all ages, all abilities and all sports on the Island

In recognition of his public service to the Isle of Man and his charitable work.

William (Bill) Charles Dale was born in St John’s in October 1951, son of Bill and Anne Dale who ran the Post Office in the village for around 20 years. He started a career in journalism at the age of 18, going on to become editor of most of the local newspapers. He founded the Isle of Man Gazette in 1985 and the Manx Independent in 1987, then launched The Southern Chronicle in 2011 and The Northwestern Chronicle in 2014.

Since the 1990s Mr Dale has been a volunteer photographer and public relations consultant for Isle of Man Hospice,Breakthrough Breast Cancer and various other charities. In 2006 Mr Dale was appointed Assistant Commentator to Mr Ian Cannell CBE for the official Tynwald Day Ceremony. On the passing of Mr Cannell, Mr Dale was appointed as Commentator in 2017.

Mr Dale founded Beach Buddies in 2007 and ran it alone on a small scale until 2013 when he sought volunteers from the public. Using social media to promote the organisation, by the end of 2013 he had been joined by almost 1,500 people. The objective of Beach Buddies is to provide a long-term, effective, efficient and sustainable operation, using teams of volunteers to keep the beaches and foreshores of the Isle of Man free from litter. Beach Buddies survives entirely on donations and is sponsored by numerous companies, societies, organisations and individuals. It became a registered charity under the Charities Registration Act 1989 in 2014.

Beach Buddies is a true community organisation supported across the Isle of Man by the public, Government, schools and businesses. Its achievements have been recognised by a number of prestigious local awards and in 2016 the Isle of Man was given the prestigious honour of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the only entire nation in the world to achieve this distinction. Beach Buddies was highlighted during the awards ceremony for its “excellent” example of beach cleaning methodology and was subsequently invited to become a member of the Isle of Man Government’s Biosphere Committee which will promote worldwide the Isle of Man’s special award. The Isle of Man’s Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency Sir Richard Gozney became the organisations first patron in 2016 and it has had communication from Her Majesty The Queen in support of its achievements. Annually Beach Buddies runs approximately 200 beach cleaning events and collects around 200 tonnes of rubbish from beaches. It also runs an ongoing education programme in all schools which has become part of the curriculum.

Since 2013 the number of Beach Buddies has increased and at close to 10,000 people is a number in excess of an equivalent of ten percent of the Isle of Man population.

Mr Dale was awarded the British Empire Medal for “Services to the Manx Marine Environment” in 2017.

Selfless public service to the community and the environment

Photo credit: Beach Buddies

Teacher, Broadcaster and Supporter of Charitable Causes

Alexander Lawrence Ian Cottier was born in 1936 on Shore Road in Port St Mary.  Mr Cottier was one of the first cohort to attend the newly opened Castle Rushen High School, under headmaster and pioneer of comprehensive education Sir Godfrey Cretney. After reading English at Manchester University, Mr Cottier became a teacher at the newly formed Regis Comprehensive School in Wolverhampton, working under his former headmaster Sir Godfrey.  Mr Cottier went on to work at various schools in the UK, working his way up from classroom teacher to headmaster, before returning to the Isle of Man to take up the role of headmaster of Douglas High School in 1976.

Mr Cottier went on to play a central role in the reorganisation of secondary education in Douglas in 1985, the structure of which remains in place today.  He became headmaster of the newly formed St Ninian’s High School in 1985, where he remained until his retirement in 1994. 

Mr Cottier is a strong advocate of the Manx language and culture.  After the 1985 Douglas school reforms, he introduced Manx language lessons for all pupils in years seven and eight, and he also promoted and celebrated the work of Archibald Knox in school.  Mr Cottier has also lent his voice to making audio recordings of Manx stories.

Mr Cottier is perhaps best known for his long-standing involvement in the Island’s brass band scene, particularly as Vice-President of Rushen Silver Band and presenter of Manx Radio’s ‘Time for Brass’.  Mr Cottier has presented more than 2000 editions of the programme, which first aired in September 1980.  This makes him the longest running brass band radio presenter in the world.

Mr Cottier has also found time in retirement for various other pursuits. He has been a volunteer steward for Friends of the Gaiety for over 30 years.  He has been volunteering for the Manx Blind Welfare Society and Care in Mann for a similar amount of time. He will be known to many from his time on the Isle of Man Committee of the Sail Training Association and the Isle of Man Committee of the Jubilee Sailing Trust. 

He also served as a lay member on the Planning Committee, with his last term ending in 2020.

A proud Manxman who has contributed in many and varied ways to the Isle of Man